Mathematical Poetry

Year: 2001 Authors: Kaz Maslanka

Core claim

Equations can function as metaphors when their variables are treated as concepts and filled with words or phrases.

Topics

mathematical metaphor, poetry in equations, conceptual variables, aesthetic relationships

Domains

analytic geometry, midpoint formula, mechanics, potential energy, poetry, conceptual art, visual art, text-based composition

Methods

variable substitution, metaphoric mapping, equation rewriting, phrase embedding

Media

printed equations, words and phrases, figures, digital image

Paper text

The text below is the locally extracted OCR/Markdown version of the paper. Raw PDF files remain local and are not published here.

BRIDGES Mathematical Connections in Art, Music, and Science

Mathematical Poetry

Kaz Maslanka Artist Http://www.kazmaslanka.com kaz@kazmaslanka.com

Maslanka’s Mathematical Poetry is served by the concept of viewing variables in Mathematic equations as concepts and viewing the equation as metaphor. If one views the variable as a concept then virtually anything can be put in the place of the variable transforming scientific equations to uses other than scientific. This method gives itself to a broader range of connotation as well as new forms of denotation. Maslanka has chosen to write words or phrases in place of the variable. Mixing poetry in the structure of Mathematic equations enables us to blend the aesthetics of Poetry, Science and Mathematics. By placing words (concepts) in place of analytic geometry variables we can see an aesthetic formation of concepts in space. (See Fig 1.) With phrases embedded in the Mathematic equations we construct relationships between the phrases that can be metaphors for many other phenomena i.e. Physical, Economic, Psychological, Spiritual etc. (See Fig 2.)

Figure 1. Uses the midpoint formula.

Title: “The exact point between praise and punishment, and love and hate.”

Kaz Maslanka

Figure 2. Uses classic mechanics equations for potential energy and force.

Title:

“Notre Demon”

Meretricula Exstinctor is Notre Demon